How to get around Medellín as a Tourist

Wondering how to get around Medellín as a tourist? This comprehensive guide explains the best ways to travel within the city.

While you might be visiting as a tourist, the best way to get around Medellin is to travel like a local.

The city has an extensive public transport network including the metro system and buses. Plus you’ll never fail to flag down one of the ample taxis including Uber and InDrive.

Getting around Medellín like a local will save you plata – Colombians’ way of saying money – but is also a great way of seeing the city.

This digestible Medellín transport guide breaks down your options for moving around the metropolis. Find out how to use public transport and how much it’ll cost you.

What is the best way to get around Medellín?

The best way to move around the city is with the metro. This is an integrated system of buses, trams, trains and cable cars connecting much of Medellín.

A map of Medellín's metro system. The map shows the colour coded train lines running through the city. — The metro system in Medellín is extensive and affordable.

While you can buy single-use tickets every time you ride for 3,900 COP ($1 US), the cheapest and most convenient way to travel is with a rechargeable Civica card.

There are 2 types of Civica cards: personalised and Eventual (non-personalised). A personalised card has your name on it and offers the cheapest fare.

The card itself is free and each journey costs 3,430 COP ($0.85 US). You can only get personalised Civica cards at the following metro train stations and you’ll need a valid form of ID:

Niquía
San Antonio
Itagüí
San Javier

A metro train Medellín pulls into a station. There is a queue of people waiting to board the incoming train. — Medellín’s metro trains are modern and electric.

Eventual Civica cards (non-personalised) cost 10,900 COP ($3 US) and are most convenient for tourists as you can buy them at any metro station.

With an Eventual card each journey costs 3,900 COP ($1 US). While there’s no cost-benefit of having an Eventual card, you’ll still skip the queue for a ticket every time.

Recharging your Civica card

You buy your Civica card at a metro station kiosk adding credit to it there and then. When the time comes to recharge, you can do this in person at a kiosk and pay with cash, or you can do it via the Civica app (IOS download / Android download) and pay by card.

Other ways to get around Medellín

While the metro connects many parts of the city, it won’t get you everywhere. Sometimes you’ll need to take regular buses or taxis, but these are ample.

Bus

Buses are another great option for getting around Medellín. You won’t be able to skip any traffic like you can with a metro train, but you’ll still be able to get from A to B at a low cost and relatively quickly.

Red brick apartment buildings among trees. This is Medellín in Colombia.

There are different types of buses in Medellín: the metro bus, busetas and microbuses.

You pay for the metro bus as you would the train by using a Civica card. However, for all other buses it’s cash and it’s best to pay with smaller notes or coins. Buses usually have signs displaying the current fare stuck to a window.

Metro buses are part of the wider integrated metro system. It costs the same as riding the metro train and metro bus routes start and end at metro train stations. Metro buses are usually long, grey and modern-looking with room for lots of people.

A bush of purple flowers on a hillside overlooking city. The city is Medellín and this is the view from Cerro de Las Tres Cruces.

Busetas are medium-sized buses, typically older vehicles run by private companies. They’re usually pretty noisy and, for taller people, legroom can be a squeeze.

It usually costs less than the metro to ride a buseta. Depending on the bus, expect to pay between 2,000-3,000 COP ($0.5-$0.75). Although, some busetas have been integrated into the metro system so you’ll need to have a Civica card to ride these.

For this reason, I recommend anyone planning on using public transport in Medellín for more than just a few rides get a Civica card. This way all public transport will be available to you.

Large letters spelling the name Medellín. This sign is at Cerro Voldador in Medellín. — Views from Cerro Volador.

Microbuses are basically minivans operating in the same way as buses and you’ll pay a similar price as you would if taking a buseta.

My go-to app for planning bus journeys within Latin American cities is Moovit. I’ve tried different apps over the years, like Google Maps and Maps.me. But when it comes to city buses, Moovit has been the most reliable.

Taxis

I like to think about taxis as a last resort option for getting around Medellín as a tourist.

They’re the most expensive way of moving throughout the city and are less exciting than navigating the metro. That said, not everyone enjoys the hustle and bustle of public transport and there’ll be times when hopping in a cab is the most ideal option.

Note: official taxis in Medellín are yellow or white. White taxis serve José María Córdova airport while yellow taxis serve trips within the city.

Official taxis are clearly marked as taxis, have valid number plates and should have a sticker on the windshield showing they adhere to current regulated fares.

A Spanish-colonial-style building in Medellín, Colombia. The building is yellow and turquoise.

White taxis serving José María Córdova airport use fixed fees. The cost to travel between the airport and Medellín is 118,000 COP ($29 US). You should find the current white taxi fees displayed in the airport.

To travel within the city you’ll normally take a yellow taxi. These operate using an initial base fare (currently 4,300 COP/$1 US) and a minimum fare (currently 6,300 COP/$1.5 US).

Official taxis should stick to the official, regulated rates and have a meter calibrated to these. If the driver doesn’t turn on the meter, then ask them to. If for any reason they refuse, get out of the taxi and find another.

You’ll now also find green electric taxis in Medellín. These are also official but have a slightly higher base minimum fare. Green taxis are scarce compared to the number of standard yellow petrol taxis, but their numbers are growing.

Large clouds illuminated with sunlight fill the sky above a city. The clouds have turned a pink colour. This is a sunset view from Comuna 13 in Medellín, Colombia. — The infamous Comuna 13, now a tourist hotspot.

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Can I use Uber in Medellín?

Uber is available in Medellín as are other rideshare apps such as inDrive. These are often cheaper than regular taxis and more convenient. I usually use these apps instead of regular taxis.

The downside to using these apps is their dynamic pricing models. While the final price is usually the price advertised before you confirm the journey, sometimes it changes and you end up paying more.

This is because rideshare app pricing is based on a few factors such as the journey distance, traffic and current demand.

Trees cover a valley side over looking a city at the valley floor. This is the view of Medellín from Cerro Quitasol.

You might also hear that Uber is illegal in Colombia, but this isn’t true. The company operates within somewhat of a regulation grey area, but it’s perfectly legal for you to use.

I’ve only ever had good experiences with Uber in Medellín. However, you should always take precautions. If the car is in a bad state or the driver gives off a weird vibe, then I’d cancel the ride and look for another.

An electric train passes along an overpass in a city in front of a large mural in the style of Botero. This is in Medellín, Colombia.

Where to stay in Medellín

These recommendations are based on personal experience or excellent ratings across major booking platforms. My preferred location is Laureles-Estadio for the quieter and safer streets.

Hostal Paisa: a well-located budget hostel with all the amenities you need.
CoNomad House: a shared living and coworking space with all amenities.
Laureles Selection Suites: a comfortable rental apartment with all amenities.
Stylish Loft: a chic one-bed studio with all amenities and coworking access.

How to pay for public transportation in Medellín

To use Medellín’s metro, you’ll need a rechargeable Civica card with credit to pay. To put credit on your card, you can pay with cash in person at a metro station or use the Civica app and pay by card.

A man sits in a plastic chair in a city plaza as sunlight illuminates the building behind him.

Ridesharing apps normally give you the choice of paying by card when you confirm the ride or by cash to the driver once at your destination.

Cash is king for all buses in Medellín except metro buses and smaller notes and coins are preferred. Drivers might not have enough change if you pay with large notes.

Is it safe to take public transport in Medellín?

Public transport in Medellín is generally safe and convenient to use. However, that’s not to say you can’t be targeted by criminals. Petty crime such as pickpocketing does happen so it’s wise to keep valuables out of sight. It’s also common for bus drivers to drive erratically, so if a seatbelt is available, then I’d use it.

Young men crossing a pedestrian crossing in Medellín, Colombia.

So that’s how to get around Medellín as a tourist

Have fun exploring one of Colombia’s most vibrant spots. Remember to keep your valuables close and out of sight on public transport and in general for that matter.

To recap, the metro is the best way to get around the city, but other affordable public transport options are available too including buses and cheap taxi rides.

All Medellín guides on A World Over:

How to get Around Medellín as a Tourist: Medellín Transport Guide